Resettlement from outside Canada: Convention Refugees Abroad Class—How
to apply
Before you apply to come to Canada as a refugee in the Convention Refugees
Abroad Class, you must be referred by the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR), another referral organization or a private sponsorship
group.
Once you have been referred, you must provide information about your background
and family members by filling out an application.
This will help the Canadian visa officer confirm you meet the requirements
of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
It is important that you provide all the required information in your
application form. A decision on your case may be based solely on this information. Make sure you answer all questions
carefully, completely and truthfully, with as many details as possible.
If you need help to understand the application kit and complete the forms,
please get help from family members, friends or a local community group.
There are four steps to apply to immigrate to Canada as a Convention Refugee
Abroad.
- Obtain an application
package.
- Follow the instructions to complete the forms.
- Collect the documents you need to support your application.
- Send your completed application and supporting documents.
1. Obtain an application package.
The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to
fill out. Contact us to get application package free of charge
2. Follow the instructions to complete
the forms.
As the principal applicant, you must ensure all the forms are completed.
You will find detailed instructions on how to complete the forms in the
guide that is included in the application kit.
Fill out the forms using a typewriter, or print clearly in blue or black
ink. Some of the forms can be filled out on a computer. You must complete
all the forms:
- Application for Permanent Residence in Canada
- Schedule 1: Background/Declaration. This form must be completed
by your spouse or common-law partner, and by your dependent children who
are 18 or older, even if they will not go to Canada with you.
- Schedule 2: Refugees Outside of Canada. This form must
be completed by all of your family members who are 18 or older and
who will go with you to Canada.
3. Collect the documents you need to support your application.
The checklist (Appendix A of the guide) includes a list
of documents you must include with your application. It also indicates
which visa offices require translation and/or certification (notarization
by a lawyer or notary) of your supporting documents.
Use the checklist to make sure you include all of
the required documents. A visa officer may ask you for more information
that is not on the checklist at any time during the application process.
There are no processing fees for refugee applications.
4. Send your completed application and supporting documents.
In some cases,
you may mail your application to the visa office serving your region
or country. You will find a list of mailing addresses for Canadian visa
offices in Appendix B of the guide.
Print your name and address on the top left corner of the envelope.
If any of the information in your application changes after you send it, or if you move or change your telephone number or other contact information,
you must notify CIC. For example, you must advise CIC if there are any changes
such as a marriage, divorce, birth or death in your family. You can contact
the visa office where you submitted your application by mail or fax.
The visa office will send you a letter to confirm it received your
application. Your file number will be listed at the top of the letter. Make
sure you include your file number if you contact CIC for any reason.